JBCP looks to the future

By Kaye Kennish

The date of the James Bay Community Project's 2012 AGM (13^th June) is coincidentally the first anniversary of my start date as Executive Director. It has been a busy and interesting year for me and for this organization.

My first impressions of the JBCP were no doubt much the same as those of the approximately three hundred people who walk through our doors on a daily basis. Some adjectives that come to mind include: happy, friendly, helpful, compassionate, fun, active, hopeful. There is a "buzz" at JBCP that speaks to celebration of life while recognizing that life is often tough, and to the fact that as human beings we are all finding our own paths and it is always the right time to offer a hand to fellow travelers.

The need for the services JBCP offers is obvious. Our Drop-In Programs for toddlers are always full to bursting, registration for our Baby Groups and Mother Goose programs is always at capacity, our Family Development Worker meets with a constant flow of parents and children, the number of youth accessing our Youth Clinic grows every year, and we struggle to meet the demand from low-income seniors for services from our volunteers.  High usage of our services motivates everyone at JBCP to find additional ways in which we might meet the needs of people in James Bay and beyond.

I would like to pay tribute to the most committed staff with whom I have ever had the pleasure of working. Their efficiency and effective use of limited resources is second to none, and their determination to provide the best possible service to the greatest number of people never waivers. Of course the organization could not function as it does without the more than three hundred volunteers who contribute every day. I am also grateful to the Board for their support over the past year. It is particularly gratifying to work with Board Chair, Sam Broadbent, as he is the epitome of the values of JBCP.

This year JBCP signed a management agreement with Capital City Volunteers (CCV) and we welcomed their staff person into our building. The synergies between the two organizations in the drive to help seniors maintain their health and independence are benefitting all.

We realize the importance of not "hiding our light under a bushel", and so are looking at ways in which to raise our profile and bring JBCP to the attention of more community members, donors and funders, through the development of a Communications Plan.

The Board has put a lot of time and effort into creation of a new Strategic Plan, which has just been formally adopted. I would like to acknowledge the hard work and skills of JBCP Director Elliot Freedman, the driving force behind this plan. Board and staff are excited about implementing the different aspects of this roadmap for the future, a summary of which can be found on our new website.

There is a clear sense at JBCP that difficult transitions have been weathered, that we have begun a period of calm focus on the main purpose at hand, and of excitement about future possibilities. I consider myself fortunate to be a small part it.